Clock



March 7, 1944. o bsMn JR 2,343,613 7 CLOCK Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 l J i i W l ('1), i I INVENTOR.

[Lam 111 a wizard March 7, 1944. E GQLDSMITH, JR 2,343,613

CLOCK Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i2 5. jIl/l/ll/l/l/L 4/ T "7 22 k 72 I J k *7? 6 92' i 8 Q96 INVENTOR.

BY Edwenmpoflsm" I. W Z ATTORNEY.

March 1944. E. M. GOLDSMITH, JR 2,343,613

CLOCK 4 Filed April '8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 7, 1944.

E. M. GOLDSMITH, JR

cLocK Filed April 8 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 616M A (In March 7, 1944. E. M. GOLDSMITH, JR 2,343,613

CLOCK Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

March 1944- E. M. GOLDSMITH, JR 2343,613

cLocK Filed April 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

EOL M4 052? BY W f ATT ORNEY.

Patented Mar. 7, 1944 a p crocn EdwinM. Goldsmith, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to M. M. Gottlieb Associates, Inc., Allentown, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 8, 1940, Serial No; 328,487

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a certain new and useful numeral clock.'.

One of the obiects'of the present invention is a numeral clock which will be more positive in action and less subject to disturbance 'by vibrations or accidental jarring," and which may be readily adjusted or "set" whenever necessary, and'which may be manufactured and assembled I readily and at low-cost, and which may be conveniently installed in a casing or housing. v

,With the above and other objects in -view, which will appear more fully from the following Figure 8'represents a vertical section on line 8-8 of Figure 3; v i

Figure 9 represents a perspective view of the first minute" drum;

Figure represents a perspective view of the second minute" drum, showing the side thereof which is adjacent the exposed side of 1 the first minute drum shown in Figure 9;,

detailed description and accompanying drawings, a the present invention consists of other novel phases and features of invention and also certain improved .mechanisms and forms of construction, all of which will appear more fully in the following description:

For the purpose of illustrating the invention,

there are shown in the accompanymg drawings forms thereof which are at presentpreferred,

since the same have been found in'pr'actice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement' and organization of the instrumen talities as hereinshown and described.

In the accompanying drawings, in which lik I reference characters indicate like parts,

Figure I represents a-perspective view of clock embodying the present invention:

Figure 2 represents a perspective view of another clock embodying the present invention,

showing a somewhat modified form of construction in one phase thereof;

Figure 3 represents a perspective view, viewed from the rear, of the internal construction of the -cloclr, showing one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 represents a section generally on line 4l of Figure 3;

- shown in Figures 18 to 20 inclusive, showing the the driving impulses from the secon'd" shaft; v

. Figure 5 represents a section similar to that shown in Figure 4, but showing the mechanism at a difierent point of its cycle of operation;

Figure 6 represents a side view on line '6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the. "seconds" indicating'drum the disconnectible' escapement means inter-me diate the latter andthe first minute indicating drum. with the mechanism shown in the disconnectcd or inoperative position;

scale) on line il-ll,

Figure 11 represents another perspective View s of the second minute drum, showing the oppo-- site side thereof,, which is adjacent the hour drum;

Figure 12 represents a perspective view of the "hour" drum showing the side thereof which adjoins the exposed side of the second minu drum shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 represents a perspective view of one of the two similar transfer arms shown in Figures 10 and 11,- namely, one intermediate the first minute drum and the second minute" drum, which is shown in Figure 10, and the other intermediate the second fm'inute" drum and the hour drum which is's'hown in Figure 11; a

Figures l4 to 17 inclusive represent similar cross-sectional views (on a somewhat smaller lS-IS, l8|6, and l'i-ll, respectively, of Figure 8; i

Figure 18 represents a generally horizontal cross-sectional view'of'a clock mechanism of a modified form of construction;

i Figure 19 represents a top plan view of portionsof the clock mechanism shown in Figure Figures 20 and 20a. represent sections on line 20-20 of'Figure 18;

Figure21 representsa.persi e6tive view oi the first minute drum of'the form of construction side thereof which receives Figure 22 represents another perspective view of the same first mjinu 'f drum, but showing the opposite side thereof, namely the side which is adjacent to the second "minute" drum;

Figure 23'represe'nt8 a perspective view of the Q second "minute" drum of the form of construc' tion shown in Figures 18 .to 20 inclusive, showing the side thereof which is adjacent to the side of the first "minute" drum exposed in Fig ure 22;

Figure 24 represents another perspective view of the second "minute" drum, showing,the oppo- Y site side thereof, namely, side whichis ad;

Jacent to the h0ur",drum;

Figure 25 represents a perspective view of the hour. drum of the form of construction shown in Figures 18 'to 20 inclusive, showing the side thereof which is adjacent to the second minute" drum, namely, that side of the second minute" drum which is exposed inFigure 24;

Figure represents a perspective view of one of the two transfer arms and associated pinions and escapement wheels similar to that shown in Figure 24, one of which is intermediate the two sides of the first .and second fminute" drums shown in Figures 22 and .23,-'and the other of which is intermediate the two sides of the second minute" drum and hour drum shown in Figures 24 and 25; I

Figures 27 to inclusive represent cross-sectional views, on lines 21-41, 28-28, 29-29, and 30-30, respectively, of Figurelii;

Figure 31 represents a perspective view of a modified frame construction for the clock of the present invention;

Figure 32 represents a cross-sectional view, on line 32-32 of Figure 2;

Figure 33 represents a diagrammatic vertical cross-sectional view of 'a modified form of con'. struction, wherein the drums and driving mechanism are mounted upon a bottom mountin plate which forms a bottom closure for the outer housing;'

Figure 34 represents a diagrammatic vertical cross-sectional view (taken across the front and back of the clock) of a modified form of construction in which the drums and driving mechanism are supported upon a rear vertical mounting plate which constitutes a removable back panel of the clock.

Figure 35 represents. a perspective view of the first minu drum shown in Figure 22 as it appears after the shaft 14 and the transfer arm I68 have been assembled with respect thereto.

Thev clock of the present invention includes a suitable housing having a front wall or panel and having bottom and top walls 'or panels 5| and 52, respectively, and having side walls 53, 54,

and 56. The housing may be formed of wood or of a more plastic composition, or of any other suitable material, and may be either open in the back or closed in the back. v

The front wall or'panel 50 may be provided with a bezel opening 51, to expose to view one set of minute" and hour" numerals or one line of minute" and hour" numerals across the min- I ute' and hour drums 58, 59 and 60, and a separate bezel opening 6|, to'expose to view a substantial part of the periphery of the "second drum 82. The edges of the openings 51 and 5| are preferably beveled to a comparatively thin inner edge, to give a bezel effect and so as to bring the innermost edges close to the plane or surface of the drums 58, 59, 80 and 82.

In the form of construction shown in Figure 2, a single opening 63 is provided in the front wall second drums, and a separate panel or bezel plate 84 is then placed behind the opening 53 to expose one line of numerals 'across' the minute" and hour" drums 58, 59 and-'50, and another opening 65, to exposethe "second" drum 62. The bezel plate 64 is preferably of "a material substanso, for exposing both the minute, hour," and eludes the base plate 69, side portions 10 and H, and the anchorage flanges or lugs 12 and Ill-the latter providing alternate means of securement or anchorage, as for instance, when it is desired to secure the frame 81 to the rear panel of the housing instead of to the front panel of the housing.

The side mei'nbers I0 and H serve to support a main shaft 14 which,-in the form of construction here shown, is stationary or non-revoluble. One end of the shaft is flattened as at 15 or provided with'any other irregular formation, while the end frame member 10 is provided with a similar opening 16 therethrough, for receiving the end I5 and thereby both giving support to that end of the shaft 14 and also preventing its rotation relative to the frame Bl.

The other'side frame member H is provided with a vertical slot 11 of a width approximately the same as the diameter of the shaft 1,4 so that the shaft 14 can be lowered down through the slot TI. The bottom of the slot 11 is rounded and enlarged at 18 to a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft 14, to an extent suilicient to permit the insertion of a retainer sleeve or bushing 'l9 betweenthe edge of the enlarged portions 18 and the end 88 of the shaft 14 so as to prevent theshaft H from thereafter passing upwardly through the slot 11. The sleeve or bushing 19 has a slight flange 8| which overlaps the marginal zone of the enlarged portion 18 of the slot andis in turn overlapped by and held in place by the housing of the motor 82 which is superimposed thereon and held in place by the screws 83 and 84 which secure the motor 82 to the side frame member H. The motor 82 may be any conventional synchronous electric motor, preferably, with a geared delivery shaft 85 ex- .tending from a gear housing 88 and having a speed of one revolution per minute. An opening is provided through the side frame member H for permitting the delivery shaft 85 of the mo- ,977,184, 1,977,185 and 1,977,186.

" In the form of construction shown in Figures 3 to 8 inclusive, a. seconds drum 62 carrying (and preferably, although not necessarily, formed integrally therewith) an escapement cam 89 having a generally cylindrical periphery 98 except for. the recess9| therein. The seconds drum 52 and escapernent cam 89 may be detachably secured to the geared motor shaft 85 by any suitable keying means, as for-instance, the tapered pin 88 extending through the cam 89 and shaft 85.

The seconds drum 52 also carries a single tooth 92 in operative alignment with a tentoothed pinion 93 formed integrally with or otherwise fixedly associated with the first min ute" drum 58 as shown particularly in Figures 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. The ten-toothed pinion 93 is of such axial extent as to extend substantially .be-

, yond'the tooth 92 in an axial direction and the tially thinner than the; frontpanelill of the housing- To the front wall 58 of. the housing a frame 51 is secured by means of screws 58. The frame, in

the form shown in Figures 3 to ,8 inclusive, in-

extended portion thereof is in alignment with the escapement cam 88 carried by the seconds drum52.

Intermediate the ten-toothed pinion 93 and the escapement cam 89, an oscillating locking lever is provided, preferably pivoted at its lower end about a pivot pin 95, carried by journal flanges 99 and 91 carried by the base plate 99 or preferably carried by a pivoted gate plate 99 secured to thebase plate about and by a pivot screw 99, so as to permit the lever 94 to be swung out into an inoperative position shown in Figure 7. The pivoted plate 99 also serves as a cover-or gate over a "re-set opening I in the base plate 99 through whichthe knurled rim or flange |0| may be reached for setting" or "re-setting" the clock.

An arcuate slot I02 may also be provided in the base plate 69 about the pivot screw 99 as a center, adapted to receive a downwardly projecting linger or knob I03 which may be struck or formed from the hinged gate plate 98 to serve as a means for gripping and engaging the gate plate 99 from beneath the base plate 69 and which also serves to limit the swinging motion of. the gate by the limits of the slot I02, through whichthe knob I09 extends and in which the knob I03 is adapted to ride. A similar projection I04 may also be extended upwardly from the gate plate 90 in a similar manner, to act as a spring anchorage for receiving oneen'd of the helical tension spring I09, the other end of which is secured in a hole or, other anchorage means I06 in the side frame member 1|, thereby normally retainingthe gate 99 in a closed position. and retaining the escapement lever 94 in its operative position intermediate the ten-toothed pinion 93 and the escapement cam 89.as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 8 (as distinguished from its inoperative position shown in Figure '1). The escapement lever 90 carries a pair of juxtaposed detents |01and I09.

The detent I01 is adapted-to ride on the cylindrical surface 90 of the escapement cam 99 for more or less'approximately nineteen-twentieths of every minute, thereby positively to retain the other detent I08 in locking position between two consecutive teeth of the ten-toothed pinion 93 in the manner shown in Figure 4, and

then to enter the recess 9| in the escapement cam 99 for more or less approximately a twentieth ($5 of a minute and thereby to recede from the ten-toothed pinion 99in timed relation to the engagement of one of the teeth of said pinion by the single tooth 92 carried by the seconds drum 92.

The eflective distance of the tooth 92 from the axis of its rotation is twice the radius of the pinion 93, so that the tooth 92 displaces the engaged tooth of the pinion 93 in a ratio of 2 to 1. Thus. during the short interval the tooth 92 is in engagement with one of the teeth of thepinion 93, the pinion 93 is rotated to an arcuate extent twice as great as the arcuate extent of the rotation of the seconds drum 92' during the interval of engagement between-tooth 92 and pinion-tooth 99. The parts are so arranged or proportioned that the tooth 92 will be in engagement with a tooth of pinion 93 for only one-twentieth /50) of a minute or less, thereby imparting to the pinion 93 about a tenth of a revolution. while the tooth 92 isin engagement about a twentieth of a revolution. If the rotation imparted to the pinion 93.is less than one-tenth of a revolution then the balance of. thatone-tenth of a revolution is completed by the detent I09 as it is again projected between two teeth of the pinion 93 by a cylindrical dwell 90 of the escapement cam 99. However, whether the entire one-tenth of a revolutiqn of pinion 92 and unit minute drum 59 is derived entirely from contact with the tooth 92 or whether it is derived in part, or completed in part by the detent I03. the tenth-revolution motions of the pinion 99 and drum 59 are accomplished in one-twentieth of a minute or in more or less approximately 3 seconds.

The single tooth 92 is preferably placed more or less diametrically opposite to the sixty-second mark or perhaps the fifty five-second mark or the five-second mark appearing on the periphery of the seconds drum 62 (see Figures 1 and 2) so that when the seconds drum has its sixty second or zero point exposed, the first minute drum 50 will be turned one-tenth of a revolution so as to bring into view the next succeeding numeral thereon-the seconds drum 92 moving in the. direction of the arrow I09 while the first minute drum 58 (as well'as the second minute drum 59 and hour drum moves in the direction of the arrow I I0.

Figure 5 shows the position of the parts as the detent lever- 94 has been retracted from the pinion 93 and as the single tooth 92 has almost completed moving the one tooth 93-0 in the direction of the arrow I I0 and as the escapement cam 89 is about to force the detent I01 out of the recess 9| thereof and to force the detent I08 in between the next two teeth 93-!) and 93-c, thereby again positively to lock the first minute drum 58 in its next position with the next face or numeral area 58-a exposed through the bezel opening .51 or through the opening 65 (Figures 1 and 2, respectively) in the mannershown in Figure 4.

. mains stationary for the major portion of each revolution of the seconds drum 92, is rotated a tenth of a revolution during approximately a twentieth (Vac) of a minute, namely, while the sixty second position of the drum 62 is being exposed through the openingsil or 99 as indicated particularly in Figure 2.

As shown particularly in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the single tooth 92 is oibset from the center or deepest portion of the recess 9| toward the.leading" side thereof. That is, the tooth 92 is so positioned with respect to the recess 9| that during rotation of the seconds drum 92 and the cam 99, the tooth 92 will approach the pinion 93 simultaneously with the leading edge of the recess 9|. In this way, the tooth 92 will enter the space between the teeth 93-0 and 93-!) just as the leading edge of the recess 9| comes in alignment with the detent I01. At this point (which would be the phase just before that shown in Figure 5) the tooth 93-0 would be held against upward movement by the detent I09. However, as the tooth 92 would move upward, the deepest portion of the recess 9| would be opposite the detent I01 so that said detent I01 wouldbe moved into the recess 9|. Thus detent I09 would unlock the pinion 93 and permit the tooth '92 tomove the tooth 93-h upward past the detent I09 (as shown in Figure 5) before the detent I09 would be forced back into the locking position shown in Figure 4 by the trailing edge of the recess 9|. It can therefore be seen that it is necessary to oil-set the detent 92 toward the leading edge of the recess 9| in order that the tooth 92 clear the pinion 93 before the detent I09 is forced back into locking position. If the tooth 92 were placed opposite the center of the recess 9| or were oil-set toward the trailing edge of the recess II, the detents I91 and I09 would bein the unlocking position at the moment when the tooth 92 entered the recess between the teeth aa-a and 91-2 and said detents I01 and ma would be forced back into locking position (by the trail ing edge of the recess 9|) blocking tooth 53-!) before the tooth 92 cleared the tooth 93a Thus, the entire mechanism would jam since the tooth 92 (and therefore the seconds. drum 62 and the motor) would be locked in the pinion 93 by the detent II". This can readily be demonstrated by attempting to reverse the rotation of the drum 62 shown in Figure 5 to a counter-clockwise di rection which would have the effect of placing the tooth 92 off-set toward the trailing edge of the recess 9I. If it were attempted to rotate the drum 62 counter-clockwise from' the position shown in Figure 5 it can be seen that,'although the tooth 92 is starting through its arc of engagement with the pinion 93 the detent member has already reached the deepest portion of the recess SI. If the tooth 92 were now to be moved counter-clockwise an additional distance corresponding to the movement of one tooth 93-h past the.

detent IIII, said detent I01 would come in contact with the trailing upper edge of the recess If desired, however, the shaft 14 may merely have one or more "flats formed on it for interlockingly engaging the transfer arms in a non-rotational relationship,'but' over which the drums may stillrevolve. If desired.the shaft 14 may be more or less square, but with comers rounded to a substantial extent and formed as parts of a cylinder around which the journal sleeves or bushings may be placed-with cylindrical holes riding on the cylindrical edge portions of the shaft. a

In the form of construction shown in Figures 8 to 17 inclusive, the transfer arm I I3 is bifurcated as at H] and H8. and between the bifurcated ends H1 and H8 an idler transfer pinion H9 is pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin -I2Il whose teeth are of an axial width sufilciently great to overlap (internally) both drums 58 and 59, as will be seen, particularly fromFigure 8.

The pinion also has formed integrally therewith or otherwise affixedthereto' a plurality of locking and escapement detents I2l, which, 'in

SI and would be forced into locking position with the tooth 93-41 before thetooth 92 would reach its clearing position with respect to the tooth 53-h. Thus it can be seen that the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to '7 cannot be reversed to make the drums move downward instead of upward without changing the position of the tooth 92 to make it off-set toward the leading edge of the recess SI.

According to the present invention, fully concealed transfer means are operatively disposed within and between each pair of adjacent drums, namely, one transfer means between the first minute drum 58 and the second minute drum 59, and another transfer means between the second minute drum 59 and the hour drum 60.

In order to understand the transfer means and the operation of the several drums 58; 59 and 50, it should be remembered that the shaft II is stationary or non-revoluble while each of the drums 58, 59 and 60 are freely revoluble thereon except as they may be locked in predetermined positions corresponding to their face positions or their time numeralsby the lockingmeans hereinbelow described.

The side of the first minute drum 58 which is adjacent to the second minute drum 59 (exposed in Figure 9), is recessed, dished out or hollowed as at III and the juxtaposed side of the second minute drum 59 (exposed in Figure 10) is similarly dished out or hollowed as at I I2, and in the contiguous spaces I I I and H2 so provided, a transfer arm H3 is fixedly mounted on the shaft "II in any desired position, as for instance, the upright position as shown in Figure 10, or it may be in a horizontal position or in any other position. The transfer arm I I3 maybe keyed or affixed to the shaft I4 by a taper pin Ill extending therethrough and through the shaft or by any other suitable means. Thus, for instance, the shaft 14 may be made square or of other non-circular cross-section (instead of round), and the hole H5 in the transfer arm I I3 would then be similarly square or non-circular snugly to receive the shaft I4. the drums 58. 59 and '60 may be journalled on corresponding thin sleeves or bushings having In this event,-

the-particular form shown, are in line with every fourth tooth of the pinion I I8--the .three locking and escapement detents IZI being related to each other as three points of an equilateral triangle, as will be seen in Figure 14 (and also Figure 16) A continuouslinternal gear I2 2 i's'provided in the transfer-receivingside oftlie second minute drum 59,'with which one-half of the pinion H9 is constantly in mesh a'sshown'in Figure 10 and as also shown in Figures 8 and 15. An interrupted or fragmentary internal gear I23 containing but two teeth is provided on the inside of the transfer-delivery side'of the first minute drum 58 as shown in Figure 9 which is adapted to make a limited engagement with the pinion I I9 during each revolution of the first minute drum 58, thereby transferring that part of its motion (during such limited engagement) to the second minute drum 59 shown in Figure 10 and also shown in Figure 8, the gear ratios being such that the motion imparted to the pinion H9 by square or other non-circular center holes through the interrupted or fragmentary gear I23 will rotate the second minute drum 59 one-twelfth of a revolution. j

Thus, the first minute has ten numeral-bearin faces or areasbearing numbers from zero to '9 inclusive, as indicated in Figures3, 9 and 14, while the second minute drum 59 hastwelvenumerah bearing faces or areas bearing two sets of numbers each runningjfro-m zero to 5, both inclusive, asshcwn'particularly in Figures 3, 10, ll, 15 and l6.- I I Adjacent the fragmentar' or interrupted internal gear I23,is a generally annular'internal surface I24 having but a single recess I25 therein formed indirect continuation of the space I26 between the two internal gear teeth I23, said recess I25 being adapted to receive one of the'locking and escapcment' detents IZI during the interval of engagement between the fragmentary internal gear I23 and the pinion I I9 '50 as to permit the rotation of said pinion H9 while otherwise two of the locking and escapement detents I2I ride on the annular surface I24 md'thus lock t'-e nini n LIB-against rotat on in the manner 1.1- dicated in Figure 14.

Thus. throughout about elzzven-twelfths (i-'5) of the rotation of the first minute drum 58, the pinion I I9 is locked against rotation by a pair of the detents'I2I riding on the internal a'nnular locking surface I24, thereb'y'positively locking the second minute drum against all rotationQTQ during about atwelfth of a revolution;

first minute drum 58 or unit minute drum 58, (namely, during the interval when the interrupted or fragmentary internal gear I23 is in engagement with the pinion and the recess I25 receives one of the detents I2I) is the pinion II9 unlocked so that it may then be positively driven in predetermined ratioby the fragmentary internal gear I 23the circumferential spacing of the internal gear teeth I23 being about the same as circumferential spacing of the teeth of the internal gear I22 so that a twelfth of a revolution of the first minute drum 58 (during the interval of the cyclic engagement between th interrupted internal gear I23 and the pinion II9) will cause a twelfth of a revolution of the second minute drum or tens minute drum 59. 4

Thus, as a result of the final 36 degrees turn of the first minute drum 58, the second minute drum or the tens minute drum 59 turns 30 degrees. The fragmentary internal gear teeth I23 are so disposed or spaced in relation to the zero position or zero face of the unit minute drum 58, that the 36 degree motion of the drum 58 which would bring the zero face thereof into view, is initiated approximately 6 degrees ahead of the engagement of the teeth I23 with the transfer pinion II9. This permits the first minute drum 58 to be set into motion and thus to acquire some momentum before the second minute drum 59 is contacted and set into motion-thereby imposing a lesser torque load on the driving motor 82.

The transfer-delivery side of the second minute drum 59 shown in Figure 11 is likewise dished or recessed as at I21 while the transfer-receiving side of the hour drum 80 shown in Figure 12 is likewise dished or recessed as at I28 to receive a similar transfer arm I29 having bifurcated ends I30 and I 3I secured to the-shaft I4 by the pin I32 and carrying a similar transfer pinion I33 and locking and escapement detents I34. The transfer-delivery side of the second minute drum 59 is provided with an interrupted or fragmentary internal gear I35 similar to the internal gear I23 except that it contains two fragments of gear teeth I35-a and I354) at diametrically opposite points. The transfer-delivery side of the second minute drum 59 is provided with agenerally annular internal surface I36 similarto the surface I24 in the transfer-delivery side of the first minute drum 58 wherein two diametrically opposed escapement recesses I3I-a and I 3I-b are provided in continuation of the spaces I38-a and I38-b between the pairs of teeth I35-a and I35-b, respectively so that the transfer pinion E33 will be actuated twice during each revolution of the second minutedrum 59, and during approximately one-twelfth of a revolution thereof. The receiving side of the hour drum 68 shown in Figure 12 is dished out to form the opening I28 and is provided with an internal gear I39, similar to gear I22 of the drum 59, but whose teeth have a circumferential spacing equal "to the circumferential spacing of the teeth I 35-a and I354). so that a twelfth of a revolution of the second minute drum 59 (during either one of its two intervals of engagement with the transfer pinion I33) will impart a rotation to the hour drum 88 of a twelfth of a revolution thereby moving the hour drum 69 the distance of one of its numeral faces or zones-the hour drum 88 having twelve numeral faces or zones numbered from 1 to 12 inclusive.

In this manner, it will be seen that each of the minute drums 58 and 59 and the hour drum 88 will remain positively locked except during also preferably formed integrally therewith or in fixed relation thereto is a detent wheel'I48 having ten similar shallow arcuate recesses I41 therein, corresponding to the ten teeth of the pinion I45, and having ten corresponding toothlike projections or ridges I48 intermediate the recesses. The seconds drum I49 in this form of construction is likewise secured directly to the geared motor shaft 85, by means of a pin 88 or by any other suitable keying means (as for instance, by making the end of the shaft 85 square or fiat on one side and correspondingly -'shaping the shaft-receiving hole in the drum us). The seconds drum I49 is provided with a hub I58 having preferably a square or other equivalent external shape, over which a generally annular escapement locking member I 5| is adapted to slide-the hole I52 being likewise square or of a shape corresponding to the exterior of the hub I 58, so as to cause the member I5I always to rotate in unison with the second drum I49, but so as to permit it to slide axially in relation thereto for a limited distance; A helical compression spring I53 is inserted into the hollow opening I52 and into the end of the hub I58, tending to urge the escapement locking member I5I into its outer position, namely, into its enga ement position in relation to the detent wheel I48 as shown particularly in Figure 18. The detent locking member I5I has a generally cylindrical circumference 253, but rounded at the peripheral corner I54 and the diameter of the periphery 253, is such as to fit within any of the recesses I41 of the wheel I48, and to lock said wheel I48 against rotation when the cylindrical portion 253 of the member I 5| is within one of the recesses I41.

The member I5I is also provided with an escapement recess I55 of a depth and length sufficient to permit the passage therethrough of any of the points or ridges I48 of the escapement wheel I48. and is so positioned in relation to the single tcoth- 92 carried by the seconds drum I49, that it will permit the turning of the first minute drum 58 Just one-tenth of a revolution with each engagement during each passage of the tooth 92 and thereafter lock the drum in the manner shown in Figure 20a.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 20 and 20a the single tooth 92 carried by the seconds 'drum I 49 is placed opposite the central portion of the recess I55. Thus, as the drum I49 rotates, one of the projections I48 moves into unlocking position within the recess I 55 before engagement of said tooth 92 with one of the teeth of the pinion I 45said projection I48 remaining in unlocking position within the recess I55 until the tooth 92 has completed its engagementwith one tooth of the pinion I45 and has turned said pinion I45'through one-tenth of a '7 in which said reversal of rotation is not possible).

In' order to permit the "setting of the clock, a shifting arm I56 is rigidly carried by the gate plate 98 and extends up to the central knob I51 of the spring-pressed detent locking element II, so that when the gate plate 96 is swung into the open position shown in Figure 19, the detent locking element I5I is moved axially in the direction of the arrow I56 and shifted out of engagement with the detent wheel I46, thereby permitting the latter as well as the first minute drum 56 (and hence, also the second minute drum 59 and hour drum 60) to be rotated in either direction by engagement of the flange IOI thereof through the opening I00.

In the form of construction shown in Figures 18 to inclusive, the continuous and fragment'ary gears as well as the annular locking surfaces are made of an external form on the hub portions I60, I6I, I62 and I63 (instead of being of the internal form shown in Figures 8 to 17 inelusive).

Thus, the hub I60 carries a single-toothed external gear I64 and an external annular locking surface I65 adjacent thereto of the root diameter (or smaller or larger than the root diameter) of the gear tooth I64; in which latter surface a single escapement recess I66 is provided.

The transfer-receiving side of the second minute drum 59 (shown in Fi u e 23) is in turn provided with a continuous external gear I61 on the hub I6I thereof.

The transfer arm I66 shown in Figure 26 is similarly fastened to the shaft 14 as illustrated in Figure but is here shown in the horizontal position instead of the vertical position as in the modification first hereinabove discussed. The transfer arm I66 has journalled in it a pinion shaft I69 to one end of which the transferreceiving pinion I10 is keyed by means of the key I1I or any other suitable keying means, and to the other end of which a transfer delivery pinion I12 is similarly secured. Intermediate the pinion I10 and the transfer arm I66, an escapement locking member or wheel I13 is provided either integrally with the pinion I10 or otherwise fixedly related thereto so as to revolve with it at all times.

The escapement wheel I" is provided with a series of arcuate or cylindrical recesses I14 of a curvature corresponding generally to the curvature of the cylindrical locking surface I65 and with intermediate points Or ridges I15. The transfer-receiving pinion I10 is in operative alignment with the single-toothed external gear I64, while the escapement locking wheel I13 is in operativ alignment with the locking surface As the tooth I64 moves around the circle, it engages one of the teeth of the transfer-receiving pinion I10 and moves said pinion a sixth of a revolution (the pinion I 10 having twelve or six teeth and the escapement-locking wheel having six recesses I14 and six ridges I15). As the tooth I64 begins to engage one of the teeth of the transfer-receiving pinion I10, the corresponding point or ridge I15 enters the recess I66 and passes through the recess and comes out of the other side as the tooth I64 passes between the adjoining teeth of the pinion I10 and leaves them, thereby bringing the next adjacent recess I14 into sliding contact with the locking surface I65. The transfer-delivery pinion I12 has one-half the number of teeth of the gear I61 in the transfer-receiving side of the second minute drum 56 (shown in Figure 23) so that a sixth of a revolution of the pinion I12 will cause a twelfth of a revolution of the second minute drum 59. Another transfer arm I6B-a identical with the transfer arm I68 shown in Figures 26 and 35 is provided intermediate the second minute drum 59 and hour drum 60 in a similar manner as shown in Figure 24, but the hub portion I62 on the transfer-delivery side of the second minute drum (shown particularly in Figure 24) has two diametrically opposite teeth I11-a. and Ill-b, so that motion will be transferred from the second minute-drum 59 to the hour drum 60 twice during each revolution of the second minute drum 59.

The external cylindrical locking surface I16 on the hub I62 is similar to the locking surface I65 and is provided with two similar escapement recesses I19-a and H947 corresponding to the teeth I'll-a and I11-b. The transfer-arm I69-a carries a transfer-receiving pinion I60 similar to the transfer-receiving pinion I 10 and a transfer-delivery pinion I6I similar to the pinion I12 and an escapement wheel I92 similar to the escapement wheel I14, all in the manner shown in Figure I9. The transfer-delivery pinion I8I is in mesh with the continuous gear I09 on the hub portion I63 of the hour drum 60.

The drums 56, 59 and 60 may either have a generally polygonal periphery, as indicated in Figures 14 to 17 inclusive, and in Figures 27 to 30 inclusive, with a successive series of flat numeral bearing faces, or theymay be with a round periphery, with the time-telling numerals arranged in the same sequence as indicated in Figures 14 to 1'1 inclusive and in Figures 2'1 to 30 inclusive, and in the same relative positions along the periphery.

The drums 58, 59 and 60, whether of the form of construction shown in Figures 10 to 12 and 14 to 17 inclusive, or whether of the form of construction shown in Figures 21 to 25 and 27 to 30 inclusive, and preferably also the drum 62, are molded or cast, preferably under pressure, from a suitable metallic or non-metallic composition. I prefer to make the drums, particularly the drums 58, 59 and 60, of a relatively light-weight or low specific gravity organic molding composition, such as synthetic resins and similar synthetic organic molding compositions, in order to reduce the weight of the drums and thus to minimize the power required for starting them into motion at each of the time-changing points in the cycle of operation of the clock. Likewise, the Walls of the drums are preferably made thin, particularly as illustrated in Figures 21 to 30 inclusive. The central web which supports the periphery of the drum may likewise be perforated so as further to reduce the, weight. The wall thicknesses of the drums shown in Figures 14 to 1'7 inclusive may, in actual practice, he considerably less than the wall thicknesses indicated in Figures 14 to 17 inclusive.

The time-telling numerals may be raised from the numeral bearing surfaces, or may be depressed into the numeral bearing surfaces, or they may be applied merely with a contrasting color.

The motor 82, while preferably a synchronous electric motor, may also be a spring motor, either hand wound or wound periodically by an electric motor drive whenever the tension of the spring motor is reduced or whenever the spring unwinds to a predetermined extent. If a spring motor is used the spring motor is of any suitable constantspeed form.

The frame 61, or the universal frame shown in Figure 31, may be either formed of sheet metal as indicated in the drawings, or it may be diecast under pressure, of any suitable casting material, such as die casting, alloys, or it may also be made of organic molding compositions. The frame or housing 61 may be mounted directly to one of the walls of the outer casing, as for instance, the wall 50, or it may be mounted upon a mounting plate I84 by fastening means going through the holes I85, and the mounting plate may in turn be mounted to the back of the casing I86, by screw fastening means I81. Instead of having a mounting plate act as a base or bottom closure for the casing as in Figure 33, the mounting plate may serve as a rear wall or closure panel of the case, as indicated in Figure 34the frame 61 being there fastened to the rear mounting plate I88.

By being free of spring retainers or spring tensioned detents to retain the drums against rotation during the stationary phases of their cycle, the power required to drive the clock is reduced so as to permit the use of a comparatively lower powered electric motor.

In the preferred form of construction the exposed faces of the drums 58, 59 and BI] move upwardly while the drums change from one position to another. In the first form of construction shown in the drawings and hereinabove described the motion of the drums are limited to such upward motion because of the relative posi tion of the tooth 92 and the recess 9|, while in the second form of construction the motion may be reversed by reversing the motor, although, as stated in the preferred embodiment of the invention the drive is so related to the drums 58, 59 and 60, that the exposed numerals move upwardly.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

' Having thus described the invention, what is hereby claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A clock including a motor, a plurality of drums, means intermediate said motor and one of said drums for positively and intermittently driving said drum one tenth of a revolution at minute intervals and for retaining said drum locked against rotation-forthe major part of each minute, said driving and retaining means including a detent member and a rotary locking escapement member, and manually operable means for disengaging said driving means by moving said detent member out of alignment with said rotary locking escapement member for permitting the setting of said drums.

2. A clock including a motor, a plurality of drums, means intermediate said motor and one of said drums for positively and intermittently driving said drum one tenth of a revolution at minute intervals and for retaining said drum locked against rotation for the major part of each minute, said driving and retaining means including a detent member and a rotary locking escapement member, and manually operable spring tensioned means for disengaging said driving means by moving said detent member out of alignment with said rotary locking escapement member for permitting the setting of said drums, said last named means being normally spring urged into its operative and engaging position and automatically returning to its operative and engaging position when not manually influenced. I

3. A clock including a frame, a motor carried by said frame, a unit minute drum, a tens minute drum and an hour drum carried by said frame, means intermediate said motor and said unit minute drum for intermittently driving said drum one tenth of a revolution at minute intervals, said driving means including a detent member an a rotary locking escapement member, means intermediate said unit minute drum and said tens minute drum for intermittently driving the latter at ten minute intervals, means intermediate said tens minute drum and said hour drum for intermittently driving the latter at hour intervals, and an opening through said frame for affording manual access to said unit minute drum whereby said detent member can be moved out of alignment with said rotary locking escapement merriber to permit the setting of the said unit minute drum.

4. A. clock including a frame, a motor carried by said frame, a unit minute drum, 9. tens minute drum and an hour drum carried by said frame, means including a detent member and a rotary locking escapement member intermediate said motor and said unit minute drum for intermittently driving said drum one tenth of a revolution at minute intervals, means intermediate said unit minute drum and said tens minute drum for intermittently driving the latter at ten minute intervals, means intermediate said tens minute drum and said hour drum for intermittently driving the latter at hour intervals, an opening through said frame for affording manual access to said unit minute drum for setting the latter, and manually operable means for disconnecting said driving means between motor and unit minute drum by moving said detent member out of alignment with said rotary locking escapement member to permit the setting of said unit minute drum.

said tens minute drum for intermittently driving the latter at ten minute intervals, means intermediate said tens minute drum and said hour drum for intermittently driving the latter at hour intervals, an opening through said frame for affording manual access to said unit minut drum for the setting of the latter, a normally-closed closure member in operative juxtaposition to said opening in said frame capable of being manually opened, and means carried by said closure member for idisengagingsaid driving means intermediate said motor and said unit minute drum when the closure member is placed into its open position.

6. A clock including a motor, having a driving shaft adapted to revolve at a speed of one revolution a minute, a seconds indicating drum directly driven by said motor drive shaft, a unit minute drum, a tens minute drum driven by said tens minute drum, a drive-receiving gear operatively connected with said unit minute drum, an interrupted gear carried by said motor drive shaft in operative alignment with said drive-receiving gear of the unit minute drum for operatively engaging the latter at minute intervals and ior driving the latter more or less approximately one tenth of a revolution during not substantially more than one twentieth of a minute, a locking wheel carried by said unit minute drum in operative juxtaposition to the drive-receiving gear thereof, a rotary locking escapement member carried by said motor drive shaft in operative juxtaposition to said interrupted gear, for locking the unit minute drum during the non-driven portions of each minute, and manually operable means for rendering said rotary locking escapement member inoperative so as to permit the free rotation of said unit minute drum independently thereof, said manually operable means including a detent intermediate said locking wheel on said unit minute drum and said rotary locking escapement member, said detent being manually movable out of operative alignment with said locking wheel and said rotary locking escapement mein- 'ber;

EDWIN M. GOLDSMITH, JR. 

